PHILADELPHIA (AP) – Authorities say a massive early morning water main break in west Philadelphia prompted evacuations, damaged vehicles and bucked the asphalt of the street.

Officials said a 36-inch water main burst before dawn under North 52nd Street and sent an estimated 12.5 million gallons of water surging down the street, jostling parked cars.

Residents reported water flooding their basements, and police said homes on one side of the block were evacuated as a precaution. A temporary shelter was set up at a nearby high school but later closed after no residents showed up.

The city water department got the water shut off after several hours, and officials were checking for damage to a gas line. More than a dozen cars were damaged and the street was left with extensive damage.

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